The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival represents an annual spring tradition that’s almost akin to a pilgrimage for Washingtonians. After the chilly gray of winter, the colorful blooms seem like a beacon of hope for warmer days ahead and we brave a long drive, crowds and unpredictable weather for the privilege of enjoying them.
Tulip Valley Farms opened this spring with dreams of making the tulip experience easier on visitors with two new locations, each offering different amenities. We dropped by both to help you choose the right visit for your family.
Short on time? Visit the tulips at Tulip Valley Gardens
Uh oh, you got to Exit 226 (the Mount Vernon exit that leads to most tulip farms) and it’s jam-packed. Luckily, Tulip Valley Gardens is up the road in Burlington and much closer to I-5.
This smaller-scale garden is tucked away from the street and makes a great stop when you have limited time, but still want to peek at some stunning tulips. Due to the limited parking, admission must be purchased online in advance, but it’s worth checking for last-minute availability since tickets are only $6.50 per person.
Offering more than just tulips
Try to visit in the morning so you can pick your own tulip bouquet. U-Pick is available from 9 a.m. – noon daily for $1 per stem. You can also splurge on a weekend family photo session to capture the memories. I’d love to come back next year with adult friends as we missed their early-season offerings that included yoga and painting classes.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise for our family was the animals. While not advertised, we got to visit with the most friendly fuzzy cow and spot two adorable pigs from across their pen on our way to and from the field.
An afternoon at Tulip Valley Farms: tea and treats
Located on a former hazelnut farm only ten minutes from the Garden, Tulip Valley’s main field provides enough entertainment to last the full afternoon. With 12 acres of tulips and seven acres of parking, it’s much easier to find a spot to stay.
After a short walk from our car to the ticket window (no lengthy trek across a busy street here), we headed straight for an after-school snack that I didn’t have to prepare. Hooray! With at least 24 hours’ notice, Burlington’s My Cup of Tea provides savory and sweet treats to fortify you for a day in the tulip fields. On non-windy days, you even get to eat them in an igloo amongst the tulips. There are also food trucks on most days and a concession stand for warm drinks and kettle corn if afternoon tea isn’t quite your speed.
Picture perfect
You’ll find several fun photo ops on the property. An “I Heart Tulips” sign practically begs for a game of peek-a-boo, multiple elevated platforms give you a sweeping view of the fields and a decked-out gazebo hosts a throne (for a costumed performer resembling Mother Earth or visitors when she’s not in residence).
Even the moodiest preschooler will enjoy running through these fields (I know this firsthand). The grassy rows are wide enough that they won’t trample the delicate bulbs and the hazelnut saplings make for a park-like experience. With lucky sunny weather, I wished for a picnic blanket to relax on (guests can bring outside food for a picnic), but settled for the grass on the perimeter of the fields while my kids collected fallen petals and dandelions for some sort of make-believe concoction.
Animals too!
On a peaceful weekday afternoon, we could have stayed much longer, but dinnertime was approaching and I wanted to visit with the adorable animals on loan from Whidbey Farm & Market. Through April 30, families can say hello to bunnies, goats and the sweetest calves you’ve ever seen. Sign-up in advance for one of the feeding times offered three times per day, register at the ticket office for a less-expensive cow cuddle or just admire their soft brown eyes from the fence. You’ll also find corn hole and hay bale “horses” as entertainment while you wait for your turn to snuggle a calf.
Stay through the evening: Night Bloom show
While a rainy day might have driven us away sooner, we spent close to three hours on the farm enjoying the tulips and bonus activities. For families with later bedtimes, go out for dinner and return with your folding chairs to enjoy the lasers and lights at the unique Night Bloom (offered from 8 – 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday).
If there’s a plus side to the extra frigid spring we’re experiencing, it’s this: the tulips will stay with us a little longer. Tulip Valley Farms has extended its ticket sales through Mother’s Day, so pack up the kids and pick your own Mother’s Day bouquet!
Know before you go:
Location: Tulip Valley Farms is located at 15245 Bradshaw Rd in Mount Vernon and Tulip Valley Gardens is at 12637 Pulver Rd in Burlington.
Hours: Open from April 1 – May 14, 2023. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. for general admission and 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. for Night Bloom. U-Pick bouquets are available from 9 a.m. – noon at both locations.
Cost: General admission to the Farms is $16.50 per person on weekends and $14.50 per person on weekdays when booked online in advance (including service fees; add $2 for gate pricing). Garden admission is $6.50 per person and must be booked in advance. Kids 5 and under are free at both locations. Check the website for pricing for add-ons like afternoon tea, cow cuddles and photo sessions.
Parking and facilities: Parking is included with admission. While Garden parking is limited, there are seven acres of parking close to the gate at the Farms. Porta potties are available at both locations, but the Farms location has some portable flush restrooms.
